Amusement apparatus



P. A. LALLE ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Nov. 13

1921 5 Sheets-Sheefc Inl/awww,

Filed Nov. 7,

wu h ww @Nl hul wm Nov. 13 1923.

P. A.`l.A| Lr-: ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov.

, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 AMUSEME'NT APPARATUS Filed NOVA. '2, 1921 5 sheets-sheet 5 Tama, fw/@1r Nov. 13 .11923. 1,474,335

. P. A. LALLE ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov. '7, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 13, 1923. 1,474,335.

P. A. LALLE ET L AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Nov. '7, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. i3, i923.

PETER a. ITLLE ann CLAUDE n. revues, onv Busreise, new YORK, AssGNoRs 0F.

lana-35v ksan" ONE-THIRD TO SEBASTIAN-Ii. PETRNO, GF-EUFFALO, NEW YORK.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Application sied November 7, 192i. 'semi Na A513,295.`

To aZZcczQm t may concern.'

Fe it known that we, PETER A. LALLE and Cin-'reim' F. F civilian, citizens of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State ot New York, have invented certain new and useiul improvements in Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is speciiication.v

@ur invention relates' to an amusement apparatus, and it has particular reference ,to a racing apparatus in which Vhorses or other passenger carrying 4elements travel along parallel tracks.

One ot the objectsoi our invention is the provision of an amusement apparatus iii which a number of traveling elements such as horses, settees,yor other objects, are arranged in racing formation and adapted to travel in a rearward direction fromk their starting point and automatically return, preferably in a reverse direction, to their starting. point. Another objectief our invention is to einbodyin an apparatus of this kind, 'a truck, a passenger mount on said truck, a reversible motor, and means operatedr by the motor for causing said truck to travel along a predetermined path, for causing said passenger mount to reverse itself on the truck, and to automatically reverse the movement of said truck at a predetermined point in its path of travel.

Another object ofour invention is to provide an apparatus o'ithe kine. described in which the tracks are divided into sections and over which traveling units are adapted to travel back and forth; to employ an electric circuit'for each track in which one of the rails ci' the track and the traveling unit thereon are included, andfin providing` means'tor cutting out one or niore'ot said sections during the passageoi said traveling unit over saidtrack. y l Y .l further Objectis to provide an amusement apparatus having a track along which a traveling unit is to pass and to utilize both an electric current and gravity to operate said traveling unit.

A still :further object is the vprovision ot an amusement apparatus in which a series or traveling units are adapted to be propelled from a starting point in one direction and be automatically Vreturned to their starting point, and in providing the appak r Fig. l is a plan view of the ing a part o?? each traveling unit.

With the above ancL other objectsin view,

vratus with means for automatically revers the invention consists. in the novel'eatures oi construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafterdescribed and morev particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims. ln the drawings v. f apparatus; IF ig. 2 isa plan view ci thev front or starting end of the apparatus on a'scale enlarged over Fig. l.

Fig.

3 is 'a side elevation of the front orl starting end of the 'apparatuswith the' covering platform shown in section. t

Fig. 4t is a planv view ot the rear ordistant end of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the rear -"or Ydistant end of the apparatus with the. platform shown in elevation.

Fig. 6 an enlarged longitudinal section taken on line (5`6, Fig` l, al portion otr the passenger mount only being shownin'con-A Viiectieii therewith.

Fig. 'l' is a transverse section taken on taken .on liiiel-l, lFig. l.

w. l *Y i Fig. le is an enlarged vertical :section taken Yon line/.14h14, F ig. 7.'

Fig. l5 is a diagramii'iatio view showing `the electrical circuits byl means of which the apparatus is iifoiitrolled. i

lu the drawing-sive hare Showiifa single track and traveling unit, butV since our iiivention is intended g as a racing apparatus,

g. 13 is an enlarged transverse section it ie'fto be understood that a plurality Vof a,

tracks are employed and that they are of corresponding lengths and trendV in 'con `responding directions, also thata traveling unit is adaptedto travel' aflongeach track,

the traveling units .beingffarranged iii rac. l

they approach motion' and are VVthen propelled tothe start- Ving point, both by gravity and by means Yonly parts of the apparatus visible. V.apparatus therefore has the appearance of `-of the power employed.

ln describing our invention, a description of one track, one passenger unit, the electric circuitsfor each track andV unit, vand the means for "controlling said circuits will suflice for all tracks and the passenger inounts thereon, as a duplication of the parts described is all that is required for each additional track and passenger unit employed. lt may here be stated that the tracks -are preferably covered byv ineans of a platform having a slot in a plane passing centrally betweenthe 'two rails of each track and that' the passenger inounts and a portion of the supporting elements therefor are a driving track or raceway with thepassenger mounts, preferably in the form of horses,

traveling along the drivin@` track or race- D D w way; the object being to start the passenger inountsor horses at one end oftheV driving track or iacewayand cause there to'travel in a rearward direction to the other end thereof, where they are automatically reversed and then returned to their starting points.

Each track comprises two rails 15, 161^ one .of which, preferably the rail 16 in the drawings, is adapted to have an electric current passed therethrough. Arranged parallel with and outside of the rail is a currentconducting rail, or what is generally termed a third-rail 17, which is divided into three sections 18, 19, 20, as best shown in l, the sections being separated by spaces 21, 22, which may be left open or filled with non-conducting material, as may` be desired. rlhe rails forniingthe track are continuous rom end to end and electric connection is maintained at all times with the rail 16, as will be yhereinafter described. K

In preferred forni the tracks trendyin a straight "line and are arrang d side by side Vso as to provide an amusing and exciting apparatus, preferably five or more such tracks being employed.v Suiably supported above the tracks, so as to cover the entire series, is a platform 23, and over cach track pref` erably in a plane between the rails thereof is a slot 24. rlhe platform is supported from .the ground by any suitable framework and -the space underneath the platform may be enclosed at the sides so that the operating partsbeneath are concealed.V Y

`Movable back and forth on each track is what may be termed a traveling unit, ar-

ranged partly above the platform and parttheir rear er distant ends,` -when they are reversed or given reverse Rising from the truck port 48, wlnchconiprisesa vdat supporting.

ly beneath the same, each traveling unit comprising a 'truck or carriage 251 and a passenger-carrying element or inount 26 supported by the truck or carriage and operated therefrom.` The truck i'iiay be of any desired construction, but inthe drawings we have shown the saine as' comprising a rec-VV A reversible motor 34 is fastened to the frame or body of the truck orv carriage/with its shaft parallel with the front or driving axle, rand on the inotor shaft a pinion 35 is secured whichiis in mesh with a gear whe l" 36 on said front ordriving axle; thus when the motor is rotated, by passing current therethrough, the frontor driving axle and the driving wheels 29 thereon are rotatech causing the truck or carriage to move along the track. Y

ln rear of the driving axle 32 is a trans# verse shaft 37, which is journaled in suitable bearings 38 secured to the under side of the,`

frame or body 27, and secured to said transverse shaft is an eccentric 39 around which is fit-ted and retained an eccentric strap 46. On the front or driving axle is a bevel gear wheel 41,wvliich is at all times in inesh `with a bevel gear y wheel 42 fastened onto the front end of a longitudinally-disposed shaft 48 journaled in bearings on brackets 44 extending inwardly from one of the side inembers of thefraine or body 27. rlhe longitudinally-disposedshaft also has a bevel gear wheel 45 secured to the rear end thereof, which is in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 46 on the transverse shaftri, hereinafter referrecl` toas the eccentric shaft. The brackets spaced apart, and on the longitw dinally-disposed shaft betweenrsaid brackets a fly wheel 47 is secured, which assures. free. n ioveinent for the operating parts Vand pro*- vides the necessary momentum te pi sudden stoppage of the truck or Vcarri 0 when cutting off the current from the ino tor 34. Y

ei: carriage is supbed or table49 having` a centralopening 5() therethrough, and legs 5l which are secured to the side members of the `truck or carriage,

as at 52. Mounted on the flat bed or table 49 is a turret-like rotatable iiieinber or rotator 53 in the forin of a hollow truncated cone having an exterior gear segment 54 at its lower end and also an inwardly-directed rim 55 kagainst whichretainers 56. bear that are fastened to the upper surface of the flat Supporting bed or` table 49, said retainers having outwardly-pro]eeting lugs which bear against theupper side of the rim 55 and permit the rotator to rotate while re-Y cross bar and the other being within the hol! low portion of said upward extension 5T and hearing against the under side of said eross VIn this manner said supporting rod is Irotatahly secured to the eccentric strap, although held against lengthwise movement with respect tiereto. rEhe supporting rod extends upwardly from the eccentric, passing through the longitudinal slot 2d in the platform 2 3, and to the upper end thereof the passenger mount 26 is secured.

ltlounted on and extending into the upper end of the rotator 53 is a rock member 63 lia-ving journals 6d extending from opposite sides ther-eerp which are journaled in hearings secured to the upper end of the rotator at diainetrically opposite points.` This rockV nieinher is provided w :n an axial downwardly flaring opening {Sothrough which a combined guide and rook sleeve 67 entends, said sleeve having journals 68 projecting from oppositesides thereof, which rock in hearings 69 secured to the upper end of the roch ineinher 63, the journals of theV rock sleevt` being in a plane at right angles tothe journals di of the roch member 63. 4The roch member G3 is therefore arranged to osciilate in one plane within the upper end of 'the rotator while the combined guide and roel: sleeve 6i' is arranged to osoillate within the rock ineinher 63 in a plane at right aiito the oscillating nioveinent'of said roch er. rllhe supporting' rod is'provided with i u dinal oove TIO into which a spline l i elv fits., said spline being f v iastened into e combined guide-ind roch sleeveand pertting said siippo 1 `aid red therein. Y i'ipplied to the supporting rod and resting f the upper end of the combined guide and hover end of a helical spring 73 hears, said rearing with its-upper -end 'against the passenger mount 26 or,` more particularly,

against a metal gitting :7d secured to the under side ofsaid passenger-mount and into `--h'ch the upper 'end of the supportingV rod `tened.

The spring ?3- is quitepowerful and it The su porting rod vnale swings rearwfi'dly,y and reverselyl.v

rod to nieve verti-v in saidsleeve but preventing ro- I :shifting .lever 88 has a depending trip arrnrls. sleeve, is a collar 72 against which thesurroiuid'ing the supporting' rod and' rie strap i0 int andthe 3 'ting undue 't "tricvr heeeoentrie strap imparts an osillating,-niovenientto the lower end of the ,supporting rod 60, which causes the passengerfniount to oseiliate. and have a compo-nentr upward and. downware inovement,'tluis giving said nio-unt, preferahlj; `in the form ofa horse, a motion simulating the r-ctioiiofV horse when galloping. ile moving upwardly and downwardly within thecoinhined. guide and roeli Ql lwe @Tis free to oseillatefhacli and forth, avingthe journals G4 ofthe rock nieniher G3 as the ycenteron which it swings,

that portienof the supporting rod extending upwardly above said'journals swinging forwardly while the portion beneath-said jour-v B5 Secured to one ofthe side members 'of the trueli or carriage ak bracket V75 in which is journaled a vertical shaft having a pinion TT secured to its upper. end ineshingwith the gear segment 54 of. the rotator. Allovthe lower end of said vertical shaft,a bevel gear wheel 78 is secured which isA in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 9 fastened to the inner endr of a transversely-disposed shaft 8O journaled sa'd braeliet, said shaft 8O extending out- 95 f r y from said hraclret and being` yheld againstA inward movement by a Collar 8l fasned thereto and hearing against the outer sit; of said hinelet,:while the hevelfgear wheelTQ hears against theinner side of said?V liraelet ad prevents outward movement of said transveisely-disposed shaft. l f

lplined tothe outer projeeting end of said transversely-fdisposed shaft is a reversingv wheel 82, 4said ivlieelheing adapted` tot slide-1.105

lengthwise on said shaft, and when rotated, said shaft. Said reversing 90 tothe lower end of which a Aroller-w91 is red, for a purpose to appearfhereinafter. eecured to and insulated from thefraine or body 27er" the truckl or carriage is 'a guide hanger 92- in which 'a rod 93 is guided for 51125 vertical movement, said rod having-fa. contaet shoe 9d at its lower end vloetween :which and the lower end of said 'guide hanger; 'a helieal spring is arranged,` saidspring surrounding the rod 93,;1n`d bearing with usi-5130 upper end against-the lower end of lsaid hanger Vand with its lowerend against the upper face of said contact shoe, which'latter is elongated and adapted for Contact with the third rail 17. Y

lThe upper end of the rod`93 is connected with a reversingswitch 96 `by means of a wire 97, said switch being vsecured on a cross bar 98 connecting opposite side members vof the carriage or frame. This reversing switch may be of anyV 'approved `construction and has an actuating` arm 99 extending therefrom adapted to oscillate and actuate the switch. The reversing switch 96 is conn nected by wires 100, 101, 102 with the reversible motor 54, the connection of these Vwires, to the switch andniotor being such that when the switch is actuated in one di- -rection the motor will be' rotated in a given direction, and when actuated in the other direction, the rotation of the motor will be reversed. n

For the purpose .of actuating said reversing switch, trip mechanism 103 is provided,

Vwhich comprises in .preferred form, a plate support 104 suitably secured to the croslsbar 98, or otherwise, and having two vertically movable trip rods 105, 106 guided thereon and provided at their lower ends with rollers 107, 108, respectively.

' Pivotally connected to the plate support 104 is a switch actuating lever 109, and connecting the upper ends of said "trip rods with said lever at'opposite sides of its pivot are links 110. The pivot of the switch actuating lever is closer to one end thereof than the other, thus providing a short and a long arm for said lever, and to theV outer end of said short arm one of said links 110 is pivotally secured while the other link is pivotally secured to said lever a corresponding distance from the pivotof the latter, at the other side 'of said pivot. The outer end of the long arm of said lever is connected with the arm 99 of the switch 96 by a link 111.

Near the front end of the track in line with the trip rod 105 is a rearwardly-inclined trip rail 112. Near the rear end of the track in line with the trip rod 106 is a forwardly-inclined trip rail 113, and a short Vdistance in front of the trip rail 113 is a third trip rail 114, which is forwardly inclined and alined with the trip rail 113, for a purpose to appear hereinafter.

At one side of the track near the front end thereof is .a reversing rail 115, said rail being positioned in line with the reversing wheel 82 when in its innermost position, or that shown ingFig. 7. Near the rear end of the track at the same side thereof is a second reversing rail 116 which is in line with the reversing wheel-when in its outermost position, or that shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7. The reversing rail 115 is secured to suitable hangers 117 positioned to the under side yof the platform 23as clearly'shown in Fig. 7, while the reversing "rail 116 issecured to uprights 118 fastened'to ties onto which the railsare secured, or otherwise. The re versing rail 115 is in aplane to be engaged by the reversing wheel at its highest point, while the reversing rail 116 is positioned in a planejto be engaged by the reversing wheel at its lowest point or, in other words, the reversing wheel enga-ges the reversing rails 115, 116 at -oppositesides of its axis or at dianietricaliy opposite points, the wheel be-y ing rotated in opposite directions by fric- 'tional contact with said rails.

Arranged nea-r the front end of the track and preferably secured to the rail 16 thereof, is a shifter wedge 1.19, thewedge being-posiH versing rail 115, and in a plane directlyv in -rear of sail reversing` rail 115 is a doublek shifter wedge 120 which is secured to ties supporting the rail 16, or otherwise fastened in place. A Y Y Near the rear end of the track insa plane in rear of the reversing rail 116 is a shifter wedge 121 whiclrmay be `seeured to the side of the rail 16, as shown; and in a. plane forward of `said reversing rail-116 is a double shifter wedge 122. The front shifter wedge 119 is tapered rearwardly, while the rear shifter wedge 121 is tapered forwardly, both double shifter wedges 120, 122 having forwardly and rearwardly tapered portions 123,' 124, respectively. The outer wedge faces of the shifter wedges 119 and 121 are adapted to be engaged by the roller 91 on the depending trip arm of the shifting lever 88, while the inner wedge faces ofthe double' shifter wedges 120, y122 are also adapted to be engaged by said roller 91.

It is to be noted that the front and. rearmost trip rails 112, l113, respectively, have upper inclined faces 125, as shown for eXn ample, in Fig. 12, the front trip rail inclining rearwardly while the rearmost trip rail inclines forwardly. The trip rail 114 is al so inclined forwardly but has less 'inclination than the trip rails 112, 118, as indicated by dotted lines 126 in Fig. 12, said rail 114 being what may be rtermed `a neutralizing trip rail. v

Positioned near the front end of thetrack is ay brake rail 127, and a short Vdistance in rear of said brake rail 127 is a second brake rail 128.

Brake mechanism is provided on the truck or carriage 25 adapted for co-action with said brake-rails, said brake mechanism comprising a brake member 129 in the form of a transverse rod supported at opposite ends in the lower ends of pivoted brake shoes 130 having their front edges ooncaved to conform to the circumference of the rear or driving wheels 29. These brake shoes are secured at their upper ends to stub shafts 131 journaled in bearings 132 secured to the under side of the rectangular. frame cfr body of the truck or carriage. Said brake member or rod 129 has its ends offset with respect to the central portion thereof so that when it encounters the brake rails 127, 128, it causes the brake shoes to be moved against the rear or driving` wheels and retard the velocity of the truck or carriage. To keep 'the brake mechanism in normal or hanging position at all times, except when in contact with the brakc rails. a weight 133 is secured to the brake member or rod 129.

In Fig. 15 the ina-nner of electrically connecting the various part-s of the appara-tus is shown, each track and associated passenger unit of the series used being wired in a like manner. 1n an apparatus of this kind.. a switch board may be provided and situated so that it can be easily controlled by an attendant at the front or starting end of the apparatus, a main double-pole switch 134 being provided to which the main or power wires 135, 136, marked respectively negative and positive are secured. l/Vires 137 138 are led from this switch for connection to a double-pole switch 139, a rheostat 14() being included in one of the wires leading to the switch 139 for regulating or adjusting the current to any desired degree of Jorce. A third double-pole switch 141 is provided in the circuit. Connecting one of the poles of the switch 139 with a; pole on the switch 141 at the corresponding side thereof is a wire 142 which includes a fuse 143. Connecting the wire 137 or the switch 139 with the wire 142 is what is generally termed a jumper 144 whereby the current is passed around the switch 139 antL directed to the switch 141 when the switch 139 is opened. Connecting the wire 137 with the switch 141 is a wire 145. The switch 141 is connected to the current-conducting rail 16 of the track by means of a wire 146, and in this wire a fuse V147 is included. Connecting the wire 142 or the switch 141 with the wire 146 is a jumper .158 whereby .current lis passed around said Switch and electrical connection maintained between wires 142 and 146, even though saidswitch 141 is open. Con'- necting the switch 139 with the front section 18 of the third rail is a wire 148 in which a fuse 149 is included. rlhe second section 19 of the third rail is electrically connected with the switch 141 by al wire 150 in which a fuse 151 isincluded. The reversing switch 96 is connected with the third rail by means of the wire 97, hereinbefore referred to, leading from said switch to the contact shoe 94.` Thus, when the shoe is in contact with theY front section 18 or with'the intermediate section 19 of the third rail, current is passed from such section to the reversingl switch. It is to be noted that 'the third or rear section of the third rail has no electrical connection and is therefore what may be termed a dead section, and when the contact lshoe 94 comes in contact with said thirdor rear section, no current is delivered to the reversing switch. From thev reversing switch 96 the wires 100, 101, 102, hereinbefore referred to, lead to the motor 34, and since the motor is grounded on the truck or carriage, the wheels andl frame ofl the passenger vunit serve as a current conductor from theunotor tothe live rail 16, thus completing` the circuit as indicated by the line 152 in Figi, 15.

The wiring ofthe apparatus as vdescribed, furnishes absolute control of the passenger units and enables the operating parts to be operated in a manner that will assure exciting results when a number of units are propelled along the tracks. It is nevertheless to, be understood that other systems of wiring may be employed without departing from the principle involved inthis invention.

It is to be noted that the rear end' of the track is gradually elevated from the rear end of the reversing rail 116, as at '153,- Fig. 5, and that therefore, when the passenger unit closely approaches the end of the track it is retarded in speed, and as it travelsup theinclined rear portion it willbe stopped so that it will travel in a forward direction by gravity and momentum until it approaches the rear end of theintermediate section 19 of the third rail, at whichpoint the motor will be supplied with current and serve to propel the passengerunit in a forward or reverse direction.

For the purpose of preventing the passenger unit running off the rear end ofthe track, stops orA bumpers 154 are'provided. However, the inclination of the rails at the rear end of the track is intendedito besullicient to retard and inallystop the rearward traveling' movement of the passenger unit before it comes in contact with the stops or bumpers, which latter arer provided as a safeguard in the event of the speedv of the passenger unit boing beyond that intended for the same.

The operation of the apparatus isas fol# lows:

Passengers desiring to enter a racing con-r test mount the fro-nt end of the platform by suitablesteps or other means. All horses' on the several tracksA will be facing forwardly, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the-trucks being l at the front ends of the tracks. When a passenger is mounted on each horse, the attendant opens the switch 134, if'not already opened,and throws in the switches l139, 141. With all horses in racing formation andl mounted, they are ready to be turned about for the start. To accomplish this, the at-v tendant will throw in the main ,switch 134 and establish a circuit which passes currentthrough wire 138 to switch 139 and from the latter to the front section 18 of the, third llO rail, the` current being passed from said section 18 to the reversing sw. ch 90 and from the latter to the motor 34, which. is grounded to the current'conducting rail 10,-ircm which latter the current passes through wire 146, inse 147, switch 141 wire 142, fuse 143, switchV truck moves rearwardly, the reversing wheel be rotated and through the 82 will come in contact with the under side of the reversingl rail 115, therely causing said wheel to rotate, and due to said wheel being` splined to the shat't 80, said shat will i-.edium VVof the bevel gear wheels 79, 78., pinion 77 and segment 54 on the rotator, said rotator i be turned or rotated through a halt ot a. revolution, thus turning` the horse in a rearward direction while the truck is traveling rearwardly.

ln order to assure a direct rearward position o1' the horse, the rotator is provided with -ancutstanding stop arm which is now engaged with one ot two upstanding` stop lugs V156 formed on the 'flat supporting` table 49 of the support 4S, said stop li L being arranged on said table at diametrically opposite points to limit the range of rotary movement oli saidv rotator to a onehalf of a complete revolution.

Before the rewe'rsingl wheelA 82 comes in contact with the reversing` rail 115, the depending trip arm 90 o1 the shitting lever 33 will. be in its outermost position as shown in full lines in Fig. 7 and such position ot t1 il@ arm will be maintained until after thehorse has been turned about; therefore, after the reversing wheel leaves said reversing rail, the roller 91 of said depending trip arm will engagek the inner obliquely-disposed tace along the tronthali' of the double shifter wedge 120, causing said trip arm to be swung inwardly to-the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.` 7, which action causes the shitting lever S3 to be swung outwardly and the reversing wheel` to be moved outwardly on the shaft 80, thereby positioning' said reversing` wheel into the same Y dinal plane in which the reversing rail 116 at the rear end of the track is located, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7.

During the rearward movement of the truck, the contact shoe 94 leaves the 'front section 18 of the third rail and travels in contact with the intermediate section 19. This breaks the circuit in which the iront section 18 is included and establishes a circuit in which the intermed section 19v is included, thereby continui the rotation et' the motor to cause the truck to continue its rearward traveling movement. At such times a circuit is established which passes current from the main switch 134 intowires 138 and 145 and from the latterl into switch 141, thence through fuse 151 and wire 150 to the second section 19 o1 the third rail. vis 'indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 15, the current is passed from the section 19 o1' thethird rail to the reversing switch and from the latter to the motor, which, as stated, is grounded to the current-conducting rail 16, from which latter the current passes into wire 146 and is returned to the main switch 134, as hereinbetore stated; thus keeping the motor in action and consequently continuing the rearward movement ot thev truck.vr During such times no current passes into switch 139 from wire 138. During the `rearward movement of the truck, the trip rod 106 will be in its fully depressed position while the trip rod 105 will be in its i'ully elevated position. As the truck approaches the front end of the rear reversing rail the roller on the depending trip arm 90 passes the double shifter wedge 122 and it the shifting lever should, for any reason, have changed its kposition after having been shifted by the double shifter wedge 120 near the front end of the track, said roller will be engaged by Ythe double shifter wedge 122 to re-position or assure proper position of the reversing wheel so that it will engage the upper face ofthe reversing rail 116, thus causing the horse to be reversed or faced forwardly while the truck continues its rearward movement. During this reversing movement of the horse, the rotator 53 will be rotated through a half of a complete revolution in a direction opposite that in which it was last rotated, thus bringing the stop arm 155 against the oppo-` the trip rod 105 to be lowered a like dis- Y tance,ater which both trip rods will have similar positions. This action will cause operation ot the switch actuating lever 1 09 and placel the reversing switch in neutral posi-r tion, thereby cutting off all current from the motor. luring the time that the horseis being reversed near the end of its rearward movement, the rollero't the trip rod 10G will engage the trip rail 113,'thus causing said trip rod to be moved into its fully elevated position which will cause the trip rod 105 to be moved to its fully depressed position, with the result that the. switch actuating lever will be operated and cause the reversing switch to be moved from neutral into reversed position.

The trip rail 114, as clearly shown in Fig.

4, is fully within the region of the intermediate section of the third rail, and while the contact shoe 94 continues in contact with said intermediate section, no current will be passed into the motor after the reversing switch causer to be shifted into neutral position bysaid trip rail 114, and while the trip rail 113 extends into the region of the rear section of the third rail which, however, is a dead .section and simply serves as a means for keeping the contact shoe 94 in position, the reversing switch will be in reversing position during the time the contact shoe travels along the rea-r or dead section of the third rail, but no current-will pass into the motor during such time. The momentum of the truck continues the same rearwardly so that it will ride up the inclined rear end of the tra-ck and by gravity return or nio-ve in a forward direction until the contact shoe passes onto the intermediate section 19 of the third rail. During the rearward travel of the truck along the region of the rear section of the third rail, the roller 91 on the depending trip arm 90 will come in contact with the shifter wedge 121, thereby shifting the reversing wheel into a. position out of line with the rear reversing rail 116, but in direct alinement with the front reversing rail 115.

When the truck reaches the end of its rearward movement, gravity will carry the truck forwardly from its rearmost position until. the motor is brought into action, which occurs when the contact shoe comes in contact with the rear end of the intermediate .section 19 of the third rail. During the initial portion of the forward movement of the truck the reversing wheel passes along in a plane inside of the reversing rail 116 without being engaged thereby, and after passing said rail 116, the roller on the trip arm 9() will come in conta-ct with the double shifter wedge 122 and thus cause the revcrsing wheel to be shifted into its outermost position, in which positionzit is to be retained until the truck has passed the front reversing rail 116. If for any reason the trip arm should engage an obstruction or he otherwise actuated so as to move the reversing wheel inwardly during the forward movement ofthe truck, the roller on said trip rarm will engage the double shifter wedge 120 before the reversing wheel approaches the region of the reversing rail 115. thereby removing said reversingwheel outwardly on the shaft so that it will travel along a plane outside of the reversing rail 115 without being rotated thereby.

Just as the reversing wheel 82 passes the front end of the fro-nt reversing rail 115, the roller 91 of the trip arm 90 will engage the trip wedge 119 andV cause said arm to swing outwardly, thereby actuating the shifting lever 88 and causing the reversing wheel to be moved in line with the reversing rail 115,- so that upon the next rearward movement of the truck itwill engage said reversing rail. f l

It is to be noted that after the trip rod 106 is actuated by the trip rail 113, said rod will be elevated and the trip rod 105 Adepressed; thus when the truck approachesv the endof its forward movement, the rollerrlO? of the trip rod 105 will engage thetrip rail 112 and shift the reversing switch 96 so that the motor will be set to rotate in a rearward direction or in that direction causing the truck to move rearwardly. However, at such times the attendant will have shut off the current by opening the main switch 184, and this is invariably done while the truck is moving forwardly along the region of.

the intermediate section, dependence being placed on the momentum of thetruck to carry it to the front end of the track.

As the truck enters the front section of the apparatus, the brake member 129 will engage and travel along the brake rail 128,' thus forcing the brake shoes 130 against the treads of the front or driving wheels: 29 of the truck. As this may not be suflicient to stop the truck before it reaches the end of its forward movement, the brake member- 29 will also engage the brake rail 127 and the; speed of the truck be thereby further retarded. A suitable bumper 157 is arranged at the front end of each ytrack l against which the truck comes in contact if not stopped after passing the brake rail y127.

Owing to the #attachment of the passenger mount 26 to the supporting rod 60, and the fact that said supporting rod is actuated by the eccentric 39, which is in motion at all times while the truck is traveling, the mo-unt cally moving motion while being reversed on the truck Ias well as at other times, and for this reason the rock member 63 and combined guide and rock Ysleeve 67 are journaled in planes at'right angles to each other, and with said supporting rod rotatably oonnected with thel eccentric strap 40, the rod will. be actuated and the mount move to simulate Ithe action of a galloping horse without binding or straining of parts, irrespective of the angle at which the mount may be in while being reversed.

When 'again starting a race, the switch 134 is closed and current passed through the motor, and as the reversing` switch has been previously set to ca'use the motor to rotate in a rearward direction` the truck will immediately move rearwardly. During the rearward movement, the highest point of the reversing wheel will engage the under side of the reversing rail and cause the horse to be rotated, and the parts will again 1s given a `combined oscillating and verti-` be actuated. during the rearward and forward movementsof the truck in the manner described.

vWe desire to state that the illustration of the section shown in Fig. Yl is not properly proportioned,vdue to the limited space allotted for illustration purposes; also that the rear section 2O of the third rail will in all i instances be the shortest of the three sections employed. The .front section 18 will be somewhat longer than the rear section 20 and the intermediate section will occupy all space between the two sections and be considerably long-er than the front section, depending' upon the lenn'th of the course over which the trucks travel. lf it is found that the speed of Vsome trucks, during' the forward half of the forward movement is too great and that the race is therefore unexciting, the attendant will actuate the corresponding),- rheostat ll() to reduce the speed of the saine and may, if desired, actuate the rheostat associated with the lagging' or retarded trucks in the race so as to increase the speed thereof, thus makingy the race more interesting. 4Furthe 1more, any particular passenger mount may be increased or diminished in saeed at any time by the attendant and therefore assurance will be had that Vno single mount will at all times be the winner in the race.

'It will be apparent that in assembling a number of trucks, such as herein employed, friction will be created on rotating Vparts of one truck to a greater degree than in otherV trucks, or slight irregularities in the track may result in one truck being somewhat speedier than another; therefore, by using the rheostat in the circuit of each truck, the speed of the trucks may be regulated so that the trucks make the complete circuit in approximately the same time and speed; sufvticient difference, however, being necessary to make the race interesting, which can be easily regulated at will.

Y No attempt has been made in the drawingr to show the wiring to and from the reversing s itch 96 and motor 34 in detail, as it is believed that this will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

The term reversed as employed in this specification and the appended claims, is intended to mean movement to tace the passenger mount about, disregarding the fact that the mount may be traveling rearwardly or forwardly; or, in other words, reversing the position of the parts from that in which they were last positioned or adjusted. Y

Having thus described 'our invention,what we claim is o.

1. An amusement apparatus, comprising a fixed tracka truck adapted for traveling movement back and forth on the track, a passenger mount on said truck, means for causing `said truck to travel, and means -for automatically reversing the mount on said truckat a certain point in its travelingT movement. 'i

2. An an'iusement apparatus, Ycomprisingg a track, a traveling' unit movable on said track, and power means on said traveling unit to cause said traveling' unit to Vtravel alongl a portion of its range of movement, said traveling unit being` caused to travel along another portion oit' its range of movement by momentum.

in amusement apparatus, comprising; a straight-line track, a reversible traveling unit movable on said track means for' automatically reversinp` said truck at certain points in its range of travel and means for propelling' said traveling' unit along a portion of its range of movement, said traveling unit being' adapted to travel along' other portions of its range of movement by momentum and lgravity.

el. An amusement apparatus, comprising a fixed track, a passenger unit adapted to travel back and forth along' said track and having' a passenger mount thereon, and means for turning said passenger mount at each end of said track.

5. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track divided into three sections, means for electrically connecting two of said sections, a passenger unit having' a motor in electrical connection with said two track sections, said passenger unit beine` adapted to move along the third section by momentum in one direction and by gravity in the other direction.

G. An amusement apparatus, comprising a straight-line track having an inclined portion at one end, a traveling` unit movable back and forth along' said track including a passenger mount and a reversible motor operatively connected with said mount to turn the same about, means for turning' said passenger mount prior to its reaching' the inclinedl end of said track, and means -for shutting' oif current from said motor prior to reaching" said inclined portir'in.`

7. An amusement apparatus, comprisingl a track having' two rails, a third rail divided in sections including two live sections and a. dead section at the rear end of said track, a source of electricity connected to the live sections of said third rail and also connected to one of the rails of said track, a passenger mount including a reversible motor `adapted for electrical travelingconnection with the live sections of saidthird rail, and means for causing said motor to be reversed. near l each end of said track.

Y 8. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track, a traveling unit adapted for movement back and forth along said track, a reversible motor carried by said traveling unit and operativelyv connected to cause said unit to travel, means .for .automatically cutting off power from said motor at a predetermined point along said track, and means for reversing` said motor at another point ot' said track -atter cu-tting oit the power therefrom.

9. lin amusement apparatus, comprising a track including a current-conducting rail, a third rail having a front live section, a rear dead section `and van intermediate live section, a passenger yunit adapted for traveling moven'ient back and forth on said track, a reversible motor carried by said traveling unit and in electrical connection ivith said current-conducting.rail and adapted tor electrical connection with the live sections ot said third rail, means for reversingsaid motor at each endof said track, and means for manually cutting oit current from the live sections ot said third rail during the return movement of said passenger unit at any desired point along either ofsa-id live sections.

l0. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track, a third railalong one ot the rails ot said track, a passenger unit adapted to travel back and forth along said track, means for causing automatic return movement' of said passenger unit at one end of said track, and means for automatically braking said unit as it approaches the other end of said track.

1i. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track having an inclined rear end, a passenger mount adapted to travel back and forth on said track and reverse itself at said inclined rear end, and means for automatcally braking `said passenger unit as it approaches the 'it-ront end of said track.

l2. An amusementapparatus, comprising a track having Van inclined rearend, a passenger unit .adapted to travel backand forth on said track and having a reversible motor for causing said unit to travel .and propel the same rearwardly, .means for automatically cutting off said motor prior to said unit riding upsaid inclined rear end, said passenger unit being propelled by .gravity during the initial portion of its toi-Ward movement and adapted to be propelled by said motorduring at least a .portion oi the 'remainder ot' its forward movement.

i3. An. Aamusenient apparatus, comprising a track. a tru'ckadapted to move lo'ack .and torth along saidtra'ck, a .passenger .mount carried b vsaid truck, and reversinginechanisinpar on'said truckrand .partly fixed along saidtrack Afor reversing said .pas senger mount .after commencing and be tore finishing its rearvvardfinoveinent.

lei.. .namusement apparatus, comprising a track,v a truck movable back -and forth 'ses ...en passenger cia vpassen-ger mount, a pair of reversing Arails arranged in diierent horizontal planes, and

reversing mechanism on said passenger.

unit including a reversing Wheel adapted to engage said rails at different points along therange of travel of said passenger unit. Y

16. An `amusement apparatus, comprising a track, areversing rail at each end ot said track in fixed relation thereto, .a traveling unit adapted to travel back and forth on said track including a passenger mount, and reversing mechanism including a reversing wheel adapted to engagetheunder side of one reversing rail and the upper side ot the other reversing rail.

li'. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track, reversing rails in `fixed relation to said track and arrangedin different planes, a passenger unit adapted tor traveling movement hack and .forth along said track including a passenger mount, and reversing mechanism having a. yshaft and reversing Wheel on said shaft to rotate the latter, said shaft being positioned to travel in a plane midway between the planes of said rails to cause the peripheral face of said reversing wheel at diainetrically opposite points to travel in contact with saidrails.

1S. An amusementapparatus, comprising a track, a traveling unitadapted to travel back and forth along said track, `a .reversible inotor carried by said traveling unit,

a reversing sivitch electrically connected with said motor, trip mechanism having trip elements in different planes and yadapted to Vact'uate said reversing sivitch, an inclined trip railat a point along sai'dtrack adapted to be engaged by one of the trip elements of said trip mechanism to vplace said reversing switch into neutral position,

-a trip railalined -with Said Vfirst-mentioned trip rail and. in rear thereof to be engaged by said last-mentioned trip element to place said reversing switchin reversingposition, and a. trip rail neartheiront end of said track to bee-ngaged bythe other trip feienient oit said trip mechanism :tor actuating said reversing switch .and return it tonormalposition.

1.9. An amusement'. apparatus,comprising a track, 'a reversing rail in a 1. the liront end of said track, 4asecond reversing rail vnea-r tl y rear end thereofoutof line ivith Said -mentioned reversing rail, a passenger unit .adapted toy trai/cl back `and forthalong sa id tra-ck incl ig a. passenger mounkjreaachen .Inferreversals-said {rastlOO reversing mechanism into line with one ofvr said reversing rails and then into' line with,

.the other reversing rail.

. other vend ot 20. An amusement apparatus, comprisingl a track, a reversing rail near the front end of said track, a reversing rail near the rear end of said track out of line with said firstmentioned reversing rail, a passenger unit adapted to travel back and forth along said track including' a reversible passenger mount, and reversing' mechanism adapted to turn said passenger mount including' a trip member, a reversing wheel adapted to be successively rotated by said reversing rails and shifting means at points along said track adapted to be engaged by said trip member for shifting said reversing wheel successively into alinement with said reversing rails. y

Q1. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track, a reversing' rail in fixed position along said track, a traveling unit having a Vreversible passenger mount and reversing mechanism including a shiftable reversing wheel, a shifter wedge near one end of said reversing rail adapted to be engaged by a part of said reversing mechanism and shift said reversing wheel out of line with said reversing rail7 and a shifter wedge at the said shifter' rail for shifting said reversing` wheel into aline-ment with said reversing rail.

22. An amusement apparatus, compris ing a track, a reversing rail having' a fixed position near one end of said track, a truck' adapted for back and forth movement along Vsaid track including a passenger mount, a

reversing mechanism having a reversing wheel adapted for engagement with said reversing rail, means along said track to cause said reversing wheel tol 'be shifted in line with said rail so as to engage the same when said truck moves in one direction, and means to'move said reversing wheel out of line with said reversing rail when said truck travels in the opposite direction. Y

23. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track, a reversing rail near' each end of .said track, said rails being in different planes horizontally and vertically, a traveling unit adapted totravel back and forth along said track and having a .reversible passenger mount and reversing mechanism including a reversing wheel normally in alinenient with the reversing rail at the frontV end of said track, shifter means in rear of the frontreversing rail to position said reversing wheel in line with the rear reversing rail, safety shifter means in front of said rear reversing rail, shifting means in rear of said rear'reversing rail to shift said reversing wheel out of line. with said rear reversing rail, shifting means between the front and rear reversing' rails to shift said reversing wheel out of line with said front reversing rail, and shifter means for shifting said reversing wheel into line with said front reversing rail preparatory to commencing the forward movement of said passenger unit. y

2st. in amusement apparatus, comprising a. track, a third rail, trip rails at different points along said track, electrical connection to said third rail and one of the rails of said track, a. truck adapted for' travelingu movement back and forth along said track, a contact element on said truck adapted for contact with said third rail, a reversing switch in electric-al connection with said contact element and adapted for adjustment to three positions representing rearward, neutra-l, and forward positions, trip mechanism on said truck connected with said re-Y versing switch and adapted torbe actuated by said trip rails, a reversible motor carried by said. truck and adapted to propel the same, said motor being in electrical connection with the live rail of saidtr'ack and with said reversing switch, said trip mechanism being actuated by said trip rails during the traveling movement of said truck, lirst to cause said reversing switch to be placed in rearward position, then at neutral position to shut off the current from said motor, and third in forward position, thus causing said motor to propel said truck rearwardly and thence forwardly after having .the current momentarily cut off therefrom.

An amusement apparatus, comprising a track having two rails, a truck adapted to travel back and forth on said track, a reversible motor on said truck having an actuating arm thereon, trip mechanism on said truck having two spaced vertically-movable rods connected with said actuating arm to cause actuation of said reversing switch, a trip rail near one end of said track between the rails thereof adapted to engage and elevateone of said vertically movable rods, a

.second trip rail/between said tracks a distance in rear of said lirst-mentioned trip rail and out of line therewith adapted to partly elevate the other of said vertically movable rods, and a third trip rail in rear of said second trip rail adapted to be engaged by said lastmentioned vertically movable rod and completelyv elevate the same, the connection between Said vertically movable rods and actuating arm being such that when either'of saidV vertically movable rods is elevated, the other is lowered.

26. In an amusement apparatus, the corn-v bination with a track. of a truck adapted to travel back and forth along said track, a reversible inlotor Ven said truck, a reversing switch `electrically connected withr Seidl motor and having an actua-ting arm, a switch actuating lever pivotally secured near one end to form along arin and a short arm, a link connecting the end ot said long arm with said actuating arm, spaced parallel trip rods, links connecting said trip iods with saidswitch actuating' lever equal distances 'from the pivot of said lever, and

Vmeans along said track for actuating said trip rods t-o cause actuation of said reversing switch.

27. In an amusement apparatus, a track having a current-conducting rail, a third rail having at least two sections, one in rear of' the other, a switch electrically connected with one section of said third rail, a second switch. electrically connected with said firstmentioned switch, with the current-conducting rail of said track and with the other section of said third rail, and a traveling passenger unit having a motor thereon in electrical connection with one or the other of the sections of said third rail and with the current-coiiducting rail of said track.

28. An amusement apparatus, comprising a track having a current-conducting rail, a third rail comprising at least two sections, one in rear of the other, electrical connection with both sections of said third rail and with the current-conducting rail of said track, a passenger unit adapted to travel along said track and having a motor thereon in electrical connection with the currentconducting rail of said track and'ivith said third rail, means for manually shutting off the current from said motor When said passenger unit is in the circuit of said second section, and means for cutting oftl the current from said motor at anv point along the track.

29. In amusement apparatus, a traveling unit having a reversible passenger mount, a shaft carried by said traveling unit, means for rotating said shaft in opposite directions at different points along the path of said traveling unit, and operating mechanisni between said shaft and passenger mount.

30. In an amusement apparatus, a traveling unit adapted for back and forth movement along a path and having a reversible passenger mount, transverse shaft journaled on said traveling uni-t and having a Wheel splined thereon, shifting mechanism on said traveling unit for shifting said Wheel on said shaft, fixed means along the path of said traveling unit engaged by said shifting means to cause operation of' the latter, means along the path of said traveling unit adapted to bey engaged by said Wheel to first rotate it in one direction and then in the' opposite direction, and operative mechanism between said transverse shaft and passenger mount for reversing the latter.

' 31. An amusement apparatus, comprising a. truck, a passenger mount having a supporting rod, a rotator through which said rod extends, said rotator having a segment gear thereon, co-acting mechanism on said truck for rotating said rotator at spaced points along the path of said truck to cause `rotation of said rotator at one point in one direction and at the other point in the opposite direction.

33. An amusement apparatus, comprising a truck, a passenger mount on said truck, a combined reciprocating and rotatable supporting rod tov which said passenger mount is secured, means Jfor causing reciprocation'- of said rod during the entire traveling movement of said truck, and means for rotating said rod at predetermined points along the path of said truck, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

34. An amusement apparatus, comprising a truck, a rotator on said truck having a gear segment, a supporting rod connected to said rotator, a passenger mount securedto the upper end of said supporting rod, a pinion in mesh with the gear segment of said rotator, reversing rails at different points along the path ot.' said truck, a reversing- Wheel on said truck adapted to be engaged first by one otl said rails for rotating said Wheel in one direction and then by the other of said rails to rotate said Wheel in the opposite direction, and means between said reversing Wheel and said pinion for causing the rotation of said pinion when said reversing Wheel is rotated by said rails.

35. An amusement apparatus, comprising a truck, a rotator on said truck having a lgear segment, a passenger inount. a supporting rod to the upper end o'l2 which said passenger mount is secured, said rod extending through said rotator, means on the truck for oscillating said rod, means carried b v said rotator providing centers on which said rod may oscillate, and means on said truck in coactioii with the gear segment of said rotator for rotating the latter and reversing said passenger mount.

36. An amusement apparatus.y comprising a truck, a rotator on said truck having a gear thereon, a passenger mount, a supporting rod connected to said rotator and having said passenger mount secured thereto, a transverse shaft journaled on said truck and having a bevel gear Wheel thereon, avertical sha'ft 'having a bevelgear thereon in mesh with the bevel gear on said transverse shaft and having' pinion in mesh with the gear et said rotator, reversing' wheel splined to saidl transverse shait, a shittii'ig; lever pivotL ally secured to said truck and adapted to shift said reversing' wheel outwardlT and inwardly on said transverse shaft, a trip arm eX- tendinp; 'from said shifting; lever tor operating' the latter, wedge elements spaced along' the path oi? said truck adapted to be engaged by said trip arm, vand spaced reversing' rails alone' the path oi' said truck arranged out of line and adapted to be engaged by said reversing wheel at opposite sides oit the axis of said wheel.

37. An amusement apparatus, comprising' atruclr, a reversible motor on said truck Aeared to an axle thereof, an eccentric shaft on said truci-z rotated by said motor, an eccentric on said eccentric shaft, a supporting'.

rod secured to said eccentric to permit independent rotation oi' said rod, a passenger mount secured to the upper end. of said rod, a rotator carried by said truck and having a rock member journaled in bearings on said rotator, a combined guide and rock sleeve extending' through said rock member and beine' journaled thereto, said guide and rock sleeve having' its journals arranged at right angles to the journals ot' said rock member, said supporting' rod extending through said ,cuide and rock sleeve and being rotatable therewith and slidable therein, means for controlling' the direction or' rotation of said motor at predetermined points along the path ot said truck, and means for rotating' said rotator iirst in one direction and then in the opposite direction at predetermined points along' the path or said truck.

38. in amusement apparatus, comprising' a truc-lr, a iiat table mounted on said truck and having' a central oiaeninn', a hollow rotator mounted on said table and having;A an inwardly-directed rim atits lower end, retaining' means secured to said table entganing` said rim to rotatably retain said rotator on said table, a supporting' rod extending through said rotator and through the central opening of said table, an eccentric to which one end oi' said supporting rod is secured, a passen eer mount secured to the other end of said supporting' rod, and means carried by said rotator to permit combined oscillatingV and reciprocating' movement ci said rod to cause said rod to rotate with said rotator, and means tor rotating' said rotator.

39. )in amusement apparatus having,` a passenger mount, means for causing relative 'forward and backward movement and com ponent upward and downward movement 0i said passenger mount, and means tor turningv said passenger mount a halt' of a complete revolution iirst in one direction and then in the other.

`40. ln an amusement apparatus, bination with a track, -oi' a traveling?, unit having a passenger mount, means for imparting' relative forward and backward movement with a component upward and downward movement to said passenger mount, and means i'or facing said passenger mount in one direction at one end oi said track and in the opposite direction at the other end oi saidtraclr.

ln testimony whereot we aiiix our 'signatures.

PETER A. LALLE. CLAUDE F. FUVVLER.

the com- 

